Kucinich Headed To Victory In Primary

Updated on: March 5, 2008 / 1:15 AM
/ The Politico

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) appears like he will prevail in the Democratic primary against a insurgent primary campaign from a well-funded Cleveland city councilor, Joe Cimperman and three other Democratic challengers.

With 41 percent of the vote in, Kucinich is comfortably leading Cimperman by a 52 to 33 percent margin. Three other Democrats -- North Olmstead Mayor Tom O’Grady, anti-war activist Rosemary Palmer and 2006 candidate Barbara Ferris -- are splitting the remainder of the vote.

Cimperman attacked Kucinich for neglecting the needs of his Cleveland constituents while running a quixotic campaign for president. He was the first candidate to air television ads parodying Kucinich’s absence from the district.

But Kucinich quickly abandoned his presidential bid to focus on the newly-competitive Congressional race, and his last-minute efforts paid off. He raised over $700,000 in the last two months, tapping into his large national donor base.

He will be facing former GOP state Rep. Jim Trakas in the general election.

In other Ohio primaries, Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio) will be facing GOP former state Agriculture Commissioner Fred Dailey in the general election.

And in the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio), Ashland County Commissioner Matt Miller is narrowly leading state senator Kirk Schuring by a 46 to 43 percent margin in the GOP primary, with 89 percent of precints reporting.

The winner will face Democratic state senator John Boccieri, considered one of the Democrats' stronger recruits.